Heaslip Lends Support To Camara

The Home of Irish Rugby

Heaslip Lends Support To Camara

Leinster and Ireland number 8 Jamie Heaslip used his bulk to help load a container full of computers for Camara

Leinster and Ireland number 8 Jamie Heaslip gave his support to volunteer organisation Camara recently as they loaded their 50th shipment of computers to disadvantaged communities.

Last week the volunteer organisation, Camara, marked the shipment of their 50th container of computers to disadvantaged communities, which has been made possible with the ongoing support of the Arthur Guinness Fund.

Leinster and Ireland's Jamie Heaslip, who is an ambassador of the Arthur Guinness Fund, took time out of his busy schedule to lead a team of eigh people to help pack the 40ft container containing over 500 computers, including one of his own, for Camara, which will travel to Ethiopia.

Camara, one of the beneficiaries of the Arthur Guinness Fund, is dedicated to using technology to deliver education more effectively to disadvantaged communities in Ireland and Africa.

The organisation takes in used computers from Irish companies and individuals and has a team of dedicated volunteers who prepare the computers to ensure they are in optimal condition for reuse.

This rigorous process involves wiping each hard drive of data (in line with US Department of Defence standards), refurbishing and loading each computer with educational software, and finally setting them up as Learning Centres in Ireland and African communities.

Speaking about his involvement, Jamie said: "I am really proud to be an ambassador for the Arthur Guinness Fund and to be able to support organisations such as Camara.

"I have donated an old computer of mine to include in this container and I am looking forward to tracking its journey and seeing the difference it will make when it is reused for education in a disadvantaged community.

"It has taken us over two hours and a lot of manpower to pack these computers today, but I had a strong team behind me and we had great fun doing it!

"Our container will leave in the morning and begin a six-week journey to Ethiopia where the computers will play a huge part in making a difference to the lives and education of local people. I look forward to sharing its progress on the Guinness Ireland Facebook page."

Also speaking today, Camara General Manager John Fitzsimons said: "We are delighted to have the support of the Arthur Guinness Fund and their ambassador Jamie Heaslip.

"As a result of thousands of people just like Jamie, who have donated their computers to us, we are now in a position where we can begin to see the positive impact in disadvantages communities by providing working computers, software and training for educational purposes to thousands of people."

Since receiving funding from the Arthur Guinness Fund, Camara has opened computer recycling centres in Belfast and Galway.

Camara has, to date, received a total of 30,000 computers from Irish individuals and companies, including a donation of computers to the value of €70,000 from Diageo.

To follow the journey of Jamie's computer as it travels from Ireland to Ethiopia and for other good news from the Arthur Guinness Fund, please log onto www.facebook.com/guinnessireland.